Young children are full of surprises, but sometimes the biggest surprise comes out of their backpacks. Meet Zen and the newest “student” at a Thai kindergarten, his cat.
Looking for romance in Japan? Learn from our experience! Here a few things we’ve learned from foreigners who’ve dated in Japan.
Show off your prettiest historical self at this Nara photo studio where you can dress like the Edo Period’s high-class courtesans!
Feeding fish is an innocent pastime — unless you’ve got a whole pond and a thousand fish instead of a small tank! Then it looks more like a horror movie!
We sent Mr. Sato to Forever 21 with 10,000 yen (about US$82) and asked them to help him put together an outfit. The results may surprise you!
Now you can protect your smartphone with a new line of gorgeous Sailor Moon earphone jack accessories, featuring miniature magical items and weapons from the anime series.
Danso—women dressing and performing as men—has been an element of Tokyo girls’ underground culture for years, but with a recent boom in otaku visibility has become more and more popular. Especially big among young women who see danso as the ideal too-perfect-to-be-true guy, danso is even becoming popular among men who think they can learn a thing or two from their cool style. There are now many ways to experience danso culture in Tokyo, but you can enjoy it from abroad, too!
WIN Gallup International recently announced the results of their international survey on people’s willingness to fight for their country. Despite recent changes to the constitution, it turns out Japanese Johnnies are least likely to get their guns among all nations surveyed.
Nestlé Japan is famous for producing unusual Kit Kats but this December they’re set to release their most unique version yet: a Kit Kat encased in real gold.
Show your off your love for cats and awesome fashion this winter with an adorable “cat scarf” from Felissimo!
With December less than two weeks away, Japanese companies are beginning to make preparations for their annual bounenkai (end-of-year) and shinnenkai (New Year) parties. Even if they’re the kind of people who sometimes duck out on after-work drinks with the boss, most Japanese employees are painfully aware that skipping the biggest corporate celebrations of the year is tantamount to career suicide.
Because large-scale events usually require more space than your average drinking party, many Japanese companies have recently been moving away from typical sit-down enkai banquets and are holding more Western-style events where staff are encouraged to move around freely and interact over a few drinks.
But according to a recent survey, these Western-style work socials are overwhelmingly unpopular in Japan. Here are the top seven reasons why.
If you take a seat on the Yokohama subway next month don’t be surprised if a warlord from China’s Three Kingdoms period advises you on proper public transport behavior.
Wei leader Cao Cao showing you how to give up your seat, or legendary warrior Lu Bu advising you not to run onto trains are but two of the nine posters recently previewed online. Let’s take a look at them all!
If we had to pick one thing that represented how Japanese food maybe isn’t quite as healthy as generally perceived, it would probably have to be the bento lunchbox. Bento are readily available practically everywhere in Japan—when not being handmade for you by a parent or spouse, usually in the shape of Pokémon characters and the like—and are widely consumed by office workers and other day laborers as a cheap, convenient lunch.
Despite healthy origins back in the old days, bento—perhaps by design—have become increasingly unhealthy, with your standard box available from a retailer or food truck usually weighing in at a thousand calories (or frequently even more) and containing a bunch of fried food in addition to huge portions of rice.
But heck, when a filling, albeit cholesterol and calorie-packed bento sets you back only a measly 200 yen (US$1.50) over at discount supermarket Lamu, well, we’ll happily do the extra time on the treadmill.
Looking for something tooty-fruity for your booty? How about these tasty-looking fruit toilet paper rolls?
Pirate manga pirates promptly pinched by prefectural police.
After these passengers got stranded, they walked the rest of the way in such a precise line they practically became a train themselves.
Yohjo Simulator was released into the world this week, but it seems that the world might not have been ready for it.
So hungry you could devour an entire onsen resort’s worth of food? Time to make some noodles—with a twist!
Sniper Wolf figure hits the bullseye where a love of boobs, video games, and dogs overlap.
MOST POPULAR
Today
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
Tokyo’s giant Pokémon Stamp Rally is back for 2026 with exclusive prizes up for grabs
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Weekly
- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
Monthly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Yearly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
Tokyo’s giant Pokémon Stamp Rally is back for 2026 with exclusive prizes up for grabs
One Piece docking at Round 1 amusement centers in both Japan and the USA
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Udon pudding is about to shake up the noodle scene in Japan
Kirby Cafe gets even cuter with new summer menu and dishware you can take home[Photos]
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Studio Ghibli releases a musical diorama based on a touching anime scene from My Neighbour Totoro
KFC Japan creates spicy summer fried chicken chips together with Calbee
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio collaborates with Sesame Street for adorable merch and sweets in Japan[Photos]
-
